CX/Gravel Tire Test: Panaracer GravelKing Plus TLC 35

The Panaracer GravelKing Plus (or GravelKing+) is a reinforced version of the popular GravelKing gravel bike tire. Just like the regular GravelKing, nearly all other versions of the Panaracer GravelKing (SS, SK, EXT) have a Plus version available. All Plus versions come with an extra layer of "ProTite Shield Plus" under the tread that provides additional protection against cuts and punctures.

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We assume that everybody likes extra protection, but it comes with some drawbacks as well. The first drawback, and also the one that's easiest to spot, is the extra layer of puncture-resistant material adds more weight to the tires. We looked up the specifications, and the 32-622, 35-622, and 40-622 Plus versions of the GravelKing come in 40 grams heavier than the non-Plus versions.

Another drawback, and probably the one you'll notice the most, is the extra layer of puncture-resistant material results in a higher rolling resistance. How much higher the rolling resistance will be, depends on the properties of the "ProTite Shield Plus" anti-puncture material as not all anti-puncture materials are the same.

We've tested the TLC (tubeless-compatible) version of the GravelKing Plus in the 35-622 size and will compare it to the 40-622 GravelKing TLC (read our review), 40-622 GravelKing SS TLC (read our review), and 40-622 GravelKing SK TLC (read our review) that we've tested previously.

Manufacturer Specifications

Manufacturer Specs
Brand	Panaracer
Model	GravelKing Plus TLC
Year	2021
Supplied By	Bought in store
New or Used	New
Mileage	0 km
Price Range	High
Buy At	Ad Amazon.com
Manufacturer part number	RF735-GK-P-B
TPI	-
Compound	ZSG
Bead	Folding
ETRTO	35-622
Specified Weight	350 grams
Max Air Pressure (psi)	75
Made In	Members Only
Available Sizes	32-622 (700x32c) 35-622 (700x35c) 40-622 (700x38c)

Panaracer GravelKing Plus TLC 35 Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements
Specified Weight	350 grams
Measured Weight	356 grams
Measured Width Casing	35 mm (un-round)
Measured Width Tread	35 mm
Measured Height	32 mm (un-round)
Measured Knob Height Center	0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.2 mm
Measured Total Thickness Center (excluding knobs)	2.30 mm
Measured Total Thickness Sidewall	Members Only
All size measurements are taken at low air pressure on a 17.8 mm inner width rim.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

Rolling Resistance Test Results
Inner Tube	None (30 ml sealant) (current protocol)	Conti Cross28 (160 gr) (test protocol)
Measured Width	35 mm	35 mm
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 66 psi/4.6 bar 33-35 = 60 psi/4.1 bar 36-38 = 54 psi/3.7 bar 39-42 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 43-46 = 46 psi/3.2 bar 47-50 = 42 psi/2.9 barHigh Air Pressure (60 psi / 4.1 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 55 psi/3.8 bar 33-35 = 50 psi/3.4 bar 36-38 = 45 psi/3.1 bar 39-42 = 42 psi/2.9 bar 43-46 = 38 psi/2.6 bar 47-50 = 35 psi/2.4 barMedium Air Pressure (50 psi / 3.4 bar)	Members Only	Members Only
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 44 psi/3.0 bar 33-35 = 40 psi/2.8 bar 36-38 = 36 psi/2.6 bar 39-42 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 43-46 = 31 psi/2.1 bar 47-50 = 28 psi/1.9 barLow Air Pressure (40 psi / 2.8 bar)	23.1 Watts CRR: 0.00692	26.9 Watts CRR: 0.00806
Rolling Resistance Real tire width in mm: 30-32 = 33 psi/2.3 bar 33-35 = 30 psi/2.1 bar 36-38 = 27 psi/1.9 bar 39-42 = 25 psi/1.7 bar 43-46 = 23 psi/1.6 bar 47-50 = 21 psi/1.4 barExtra Low Air Pressure (30 psi / 2.1 bar)	26.6 Watts CRR: 0.00797	31.6 Watts CRR: 0.00947
The CX/Gravel section is a multi tire size section, air pressures have been adjusted to the measured casing width. All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better)
Total Puncture Score Tread	47 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness	2.30 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle	Members Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness	Members Only

Hard Surface Static Grip Test Results

Static Grip Test Results
Wet Grip Average	61 Points
Wet Grip Center	Members Only
Wet Grip Edge	Members Only
Measured Knob Height Center	0.2 mm
Measured Knob Height Edge	0.2 mm
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 CX/Gravel grip test rim width = 23.0 mm
Wet Grip Test and Off-Road Tires (info)

Conclusion

The extra layer of anti-puncture resistant material under the tread of the GravelKing Plus adds quite a lot of rolling resistance. Rolling resistance comes in at about 30% higher when compared to the non-Plus version of the GravelKing. The good part is that the puncture resistance of the tread has increased by 67%, which should give good protection for most gravel bike circumstances.

When we compare the GravelKing Plus to the competition, we do think there are better alternatives. If you like to stay with Panaracer, we suggest the GravelKing SS (Semi-Slick) (read our review) that offers nearly the same protection but offers better edge grip and a lower rolling resistance. The Challenge Strada Bianca Pro HTLR (read our review) offers a similar tread pattern, nearly the same puncture resistance, but still is one of the fastest rolling gravel bike tires.

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RATING: 3.3 / 5
TEST VERDICT: Recommended

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